Services

Burma Center provides fast and friendly service to help clients access the resources they are entitled to and deserve. We understand what they need, know how to get it, and look out for their best interests every step of the way. If they are facing an obstacle, we want to help. We believe clients already have what it takes to be successful. Let us help them find ways to do it.

Programs

In Office Client Support

We have wonderful in-office staff that help our clients navigate the resources available to them in the community.

Family Development

A student decorating a pumpkin at one of our Creative Expressions classes.

ESL

We offer two different types of ESL courses. Our Civics course prepares students to take their citizenship test and our Workforce ESL with DENSO teaches students how to be safe at work. Here, Celia instructs some of our wonderful students.

ESL students hard at work.

Youth Summer Program

In the summer of 2016, we held our very first Burmese-American summer culture program. We had a variety of speakers and activities to help local middle school and high school students navigate what it means to be Burmese-American. On Fridays, we had field trips. A couple of our favorites were Henry Ford Museum and one of the MSU farms.

Services

Interpretation/Translation

The Burma Center provides high-quality Falam, Hakha, Tedim, and Burmese interpretation throughout southern and central Michigan. We interpret in a variety of settings, some of which include the medical, legal, and mental health fields. Here, Elizabeth Lian, our Program Director, interprets at a town hall meeting at Battle-Creek Chin Baptist Church.

Advocacy

A large part of our work is advocating for our community—here we gathered members of the community to ensure fair housing.

Community Engagement and Outreach

We have community gardens at Fairlane and Brookside Apartments.

Staff and volunteers after the 2016 Juneteenth celebration in Battle Creek.

Some of our staff with local law enforcement and the NAACP at First Baptist Church after teaching community members about their rights as U.S. citizens.

Another town hall meeting at Gospel Baptist Church. The Sherriff’s Department, Battle Creek Police Department, the NAACP and the Prosecutor’s Office all helped facilitate the event.

Jenny and Celia with Prosecutor David Gilbert, Lieutenant John Chrenenko, and Sheriff Matt Saxton after a town hall meeting at Zomi Baptist Church.